Toddler ballet class- what can i expect?

I posted this on my bb but it doesnt get alot of traffic so i wanted to see what you guys think:

My dd is 2.5 and loves to dance. The dance studio near us only offers a toddler ballet class for ages 2-3 years. I have never been to a dance studio in my life so I have no idea what to expect. From what I have seen of ballet it seems pretty strict/serious for a toddler but this is the ONLY toddler class they offer. My dd is very outgoing but pretty adventurous and has lots of energy so I am worried she wont follow directions very well.

We have a new baby coming next year so I would love to do something like this with dd with other kids her age that is just for her.

What does the DT think? Should I try this out with my rambunctious (sp?) Toddler?

Comments (69)

Why wouldn't you place her in a school that is more relaxed until she can really appreciate it? Ballet is a love/hate relationship. It's work and she'll go through many, many phases of not enjoying it as much. Especially in preteen years. Those in the ballet world did not necessarily train their entire lives in that setting, I'm not sure what crap they're trying to sell you but it's simply not true.

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"And thus it was told: children must wear earmuffs when outside the home, lest the devil intercede" Poops 420:69T-GUM

Why wouldn't you place her in a school that is more relaxed until she can really appreciate it? Ballet is a love/hate relationship. It's work and she'll go through many, many phases of not enjoying it as much. Especially in preteen years. Those in the ballet world did not necessarily train their entire lives in that setting, I'm not sure what crap they're trying to sell you but it's simply not true.

^^ We're talking about a toddler here. I have yet to encounter a dance program for that age group that is strict. They are all relaxed and fun.

The school my girls attend has weekly lessons for the majority, then a separate competitive dance troupe, that requires a lot more dedication, and time, and talent. You have to try out to be accepted into the program. My girls just do the weekly gig. They enjoy it, but they're doing it for fun and to look cute at the year-end recital. I like that there are two "tracks" so to speak. My kids can get a taste of it, without going hard-core.

^^ DD's studio is similar. They offer the standard 'interest in dance' classes for all ages in all types of dance and then they offer their competitive program. They open up auditions once a year for each age group. It's all those weekly for fun students that pays a lot of the bills, so I would assume dance studios would welcome them with open arms.

Have you seen PP's comments, Purple? I'm addressing this school that seems to think they can judge a five year old's body type.

^^ Yeah.....I saw that. I address part of that. I don't know if I buy into what is being typed there, though. Body type in the future most certainly can't be determined at that age. If someone is telling you it can be they are full of crap. How do you guage that? I've seen pudgy five year olds grow into tall and thin teens/young adults. I've seen tall and lanky five year olds stop growing at 11.

I wonder what that dance studio is called. I wonder if it is an elite dance studio that you have to get accepted to. If it is I find it strange that they allow such young students and treat them as described. What is the easiest way to get a young kid to lose interest in something? Make it not fun! If it isn't an elite studio I find it odd that they practice such things for the same reason.

I can only judge based on DD's studio and what I've heard from other moms about other studios, but I can tell you that what was posted is not the norm (niether is what is shown on Dance Moms).

As far as I know any actually academy tied to a company does not accept anyone under 13, so I seriously believe they are pulling one over on people.

Dance moms is nuts, this is coming from someone who was in several different classes at 8 years old, several meaning everything from ballet to haiwaiin and spanish. I went to several different schools as well and at the age, the only reason I had to show my abilities is to help them figure out what class to place me in. Dance mom shows why it is important to check the school and the teachers.

As far as competition goes, we didn't even compete for a place, the teachers watched and knew who would be a good fit for the team based on that.

I would just hate for her daughter to end up hating it because she was forced into something extreme.

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"And thus it was told: children must wear earmuffs when outside the home, lest the devil intercede" Poops 420:69T-GUM

My DD is in the 2-3 year old ballet class. Its a whole lot of toddlers running around. They learn dances from special songs and practice only a few moves at this point. One unexpected skill she picked up was that the teacher takes attendance by calling out their names and they have to raise their hand and say here.

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"Sometimes someone says something really small and it just fits into this empty place in your heart"